At Kua Mukogawa only the outdoor bath is filled with the natural hot spring water, but that doesn't mean the water is bad, there's just less access to it. You can easily tell how good the spring is here by the amount of brown clay like buildup coating the tub, walls and floors--inside and outside. It reminds me a lot like the water at Hanayama or Muso no Yu (Honmachi Onsen) in Wakayama except this spring is much hotter. It's like bathing in very wet clay, you can feel the difference in the density of the spring water compared to the normal baths inside. Don't get this water on your face or lips, it's high salt content will sting. A sign says the temperature will fluctuate and sometimes they have to mix in some cool water, but the bath is normally just straight from the well at it’s natural temperature. Inside, the normal water is crystal clear and refreshing.

Recently remodeled, the indoor baths all have brand new fixtures and tile work. The design makes the most of the small space they have with no corner not in use. There is a lack of any good place to sit and cool down because the baths are so packed in there. All the baths are rather small space wise. They do have one of the best large sunflower style jet baths I've been in. The electric bath is one of the large hole types that gives you stronger pulses at a slower interval.

Despite being recently renewed everything still has the airs of an old sento. It is interesting to see how a bath house as old as this can stay in business this long and bring in enough money to remodel. I remember going here back in 2006 before the remodel and looking at the large old TVs they have placed in the changing room for the bathers to watch. The various plugs on the back, different from the antenna jacks common in the USA was so interesting to me. Now those ancient TVs have been replaced by sleek new flat screen models. The large metal shelves that once held the old heavy TVs from the ceiling look conspicuously too large for the new flat screens.

Because they are there it seems that everyone in the bath is glued to the TV. If you like having something to watch in the water, then it's a good thing. If you dislike the intrusion of TVs into daily life, then you might not like it. Personally I enjoyed it, but thankfully there is no TV in the rotenburo. Some places need to be free from TVs. Also, given Kua's popularity with the locals, it seems that it's always busy. You might have to wait for a spot or squeeze in to the bath you want.